§ Mr. Tim SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Greater Manchester on inquiries made by the Manchester regional crime squad into the affairs of Barlow Clowes in early 1987; and if he will ascertain what information was passed on to the Department of Trade and Industry following those inquiries.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe nature of inquiries made by the police as a result of information received is an operational matter for the chief officer of the force concerned. I understand that the question of what information may have been passed to the Department of Trade and Industry is among the matters that will be considered in the course of the investigation which my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has invited Sir Godfray Le Quesne, QC, to carry out into his Department's handling of matters relating to the Barlow Clowes group.